We are on the search for the best burger in Topeka. Here is how we rate the burger joints that we will review. First we put heavy emphasis on where the joint is headquartered, Local (Topeka) will garner an automatic 10 bonus points. Kansas owned chains (headquartered in Lawrence, Wichita, etc) an automatic 5 bonus points and National chains (those headquartered outside the state) will garner an automatic 0 bonus points. The ten categories that we will use in our search for the best burger in Topeka will be 1.Burger Patties Quality, 2. Bun Quality, 3. Customer Service, 4. Garnish Quality, 5. Fries Quality, 6. Atmosphere, 7. Order Accuracy, 8. Cleanliness (Restrooms, Dinning area, Entrance, etc), 9. Building Accessibility and 10. Price. All categories will earn a score between 1 and 10, with 10 being the highest and 1 being the poorest.
On December 19, 2014 the very first Five Guys opened in Topeka. Having ate at this National Chain (headquartered in Massachusetts) when I was last in Austin, TX. So I was glad to see it was now in Kansas. Better yet, it was coming to Topeka. Unable to make it on opening day, the wife and I made a stop in on December 26th. When we entered the place was packed.
Bonus Points: 0
Since this burger joint is a national chain the restaurant earned zero bonus points.
1. Burger Patties Quality: 10
The burger quality was very moist and was fully cooked. Making the burger very tasty. The flavor was enhanced with the best soda brand, Coca-Cola ™. Even better the restaurant offers the Coca-Cola ™ Freestyle ™ machine.
2. Bun Quality: 10
The bun was a fresh toasted sesame seed bun.
3. Customer Service: 10
We found the customer service excellent. All the employees were friendly and willing to take time to explain their menu to new customers.
4. Garnish Quality: 8
The tomatoes were a little green. Lettuce was fresh. No complaints with the pickles or onions.
5. Fries Quality: 10
Cooked in peanut oil these fries were excellent. Very fresh and hot. This is one of the very few places that actually make their own fries. No frozen potatoes at this restaurant.
6. Atmosphere: 10
Busy fast food restaurant with people waiting for a table. This is also the only burger place I've seen that brings in the peanut concept that some sit down restaurants have used over the years. Behind the counter, employees are lined up prepping burgers assembly line style.
7. Order Accuracy: 10
They got our order correct. We always special order our burgers to see how the burger place does. We both ordered what they call the "Little burger." Pat ordered hers with mayonnaise, lettuce, pickles, tomato and grilled onions. For mine I ordered ketchup only.
8. Cleanliness (Restrooms, Dinning area, Entrance, etc): 9
Entrance was well kept and clean.
Dining Area was littered with the discarded shells that the restaurant patrons had discarded on the floor and trampled under foot.
Neither of used the restroom on this visit, so we are unable to comment on their condition.
9. Building Accessibility: 9
The building was accessible. However, the ramp to access the building was done in a way that was more costly to the construction. Not only that it is done in a way that makes it harder for some people with mobility issues. The construction could have been done with the entrance on the ground level, instead when they built this building over the last few months with steps and a long ramp to access it.
10. Price: 7
For two burgers, one large fries and two regular size drinks we paid $18.73. The burgers were tasty and there is something about paying for quality. However, I still have a problem with paying more then I have to.
I also felt a little deceived by the menu board. The burger at the top was simply called hamburger for $5.69. Turns out that burger is a double, even though the menu board doesn't say so. On down towards the bottom what one would think is a children's burger, the "Little Burger," is actually the single. The "Little burger" sells for $3.99. Fries and drink not included. So Pat and I shared large fries ($4.69) . We each had our own regular size Coke™ product ($2.19 each).
Overall, we were disappointed that they didn't have any meal deals.
Total: 9.3
Location:
1191 Suite B SW Wanamaker
Topeka, Kansas
Phone:
(785) 273-1730
Hours:
Today 11:00am - 10:00pm
On December 19, 2014 the very first Five Guys opened in Topeka. Having ate at this National Chain (headquartered in Massachusetts) when I was last in Austin, TX. So I was glad to see it was now in Kansas. Better yet, it was coming to Topeka. Unable to make it on opening day, the wife and I made a stop in on December 26th. When we entered the place was packed.
 |
| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
Bonus Points: 0
Since this burger joint is a national chain the restaurant earned zero bonus points.
1. Burger Patties Quality: 10
The burger quality was very moist and was fully cooked. Making the burger very tasty. The flavor was enhanced with the best soda brand, Coca-Cola ™. Even better the restaurant offers the Coca-Cola ™ Freestyle ™ machine.
 |
| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
2. Bun Quality: 10
The bun was a fresh toasted sesame seed bun.
3. Customer Service: 10
We found the customer service excellent. All the employees were friendly and willing to take time to explain their menu to new customers.
4. Garnish Quality: 8
The tomatoes were a little green. Lettuce was fresh. No complaints with the pickles or onions.
5. Fries Quality: 10
Cooked in peanut oil these fries were excellent. Very fresh and hot. This is one of the very few places that actually make their own fries. No frozen potatoes at this restaurant.
 |
| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
6. Atmosphere: 10
Busy fast food restaurant with people waiting for a table. This is also the only burger place I've seen that brings in the peanut concept that some sit down restaurants have used over the years. Behind the counter, employees are lined up prepping burgers assembly line style.
 |
| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
7. Order Accuracy: 10
They got our order correct. We always special order our burgers to see how the burger place does. We both ordered what they call the "Little burger." Pat ordered hers with mayonnaise, lettuce, pickles, tomato and grilled onions. For mine I ordered ketchup only.
8. Cleanliness (Restrooms, Dinning area, Entrance, etc): 9
Entrance was well kept and clean.
Dining Area was littered with the discarded shells that the restaurant patrons had discarded on the floor and trampled under foot.
Neither of used the restroom on this visit, so we are unable to comment on their condition.
9. Building Accessibility: 9
The building was accessible. However, the ramp to access the building was done in a way that was more costly to the construction. Not only that it is done in a way that makes it harder for some people with mobility issues. The construction could have been done with the entrance on the ground level, instead when they built this building over the last few months with steps and a long ramp to access it.
10. Price: 7
For two burgers, one large fries and two regular size drinks we paid $18.73. The burgers were tasty and there is something about paying for quality. However, I still have a problem with paying more then I have to.
I also felt a little deceived by the menu board. The burger at the top was simply called hamburger for $5.69. Turns out that burger is a double, even though the menu board doesn't say so. On down towards the bottom what one would think is a children's burger, the "Little Burger," is actually the single. The "Little burger" sells for $3.99. Fries and drink not included. So Pat and I shared large fries ($4.69) . We each had our own regular size Coke™ product ($2.19 each).
Overall, we were disappointed that they didn't have any meal deals.
 |
| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
Total: 9.3
Location:
1191 Suite B SW Wanamaker
Topeka, Kansas
Phone:
(785) 273-1730
Hours:
Today 11:00am - 10:00pm
